Comparative Morphology of the Penis and Clitoris in Four Species of Moles (Talpidae).

The penile and clitoral anatomy of four species of Talpid moles (broad-footed, star-nosed, hairy-tailed, and Japanese shrew moles) were investigated to define penile and clitoral anatomy and to examine the relationship of the clitoral anatomy with the presence or absence of ovotestes. The ovotestis contains ovarian tissue and glandular tissue resembling fetal testicular tissue and can produce androgens. The ovotestis is present in star-nosed and hairy-tailed moles, but not in broad-footed and Japanese shrew moles. Using histology, three-dimensional reconstruction, and morphometric analysis, sexual dimorphism was examined with regard to a nine feature masculine trait score that included perineal appendage length (prepuce), anogenital distance, and presence/absence of bone. The presence/absence of ovotestes was discordant in all four mole species for sex differentiation features. For many sex differentiation features, discordance with ovotestes was observed in at least one mole species. The degree of concordance with ovotestes was highest for hairy-tailed moles and lowest for broad-footed moles. In relationship to phylogenetic clade, sex differentiation features also did not correlate with the similarity/divergence of the features and presence/absence of ovotestes. Hairy-tailed and Japanese shrew moles reside in separated clades, but they exhibit a high degree of congruence. Broad-footed and hairy-tailed moles reside within the same clade but had one of the lowest correlations in features and presence/absence of ovotestes. Thus, phylogenetic affinity and the presence/absence of ovotestes are poor predictors for most sex differentiation features within mole external genitalia

Respiratory function and mechanics in pinnipeds and cetaceans

Author Posting. © Company of Biologists, 2017. This article is posted here by permission of Company of Biologists for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Experimental Biology 220 (2017): 1761-1773, doi:10.1242/jeb.126870.In this Review, we focus on the functional properties of the respiratory system of pinnipeds and cetaceans, and briefly summarize the underlying anatomy; in doing so, we provide an overview of what is currently known about their respiratory physiology and mechanics. While exposure to high pressure is a common challenge among breath-hold divers, there is a large variation in respiratory anatomy, function and capacity between species – how are these traits adapted to allow the animals to withstand the physiological challenges faced during dives? The ultra-deep diving feats of some marine mammals defy our current understanding of respiratory physiology and lung mechanics. These animals cope daily with lung compression, alveolar collapse, transient hyperoxia and extreme hypoxia. By improving our understanding of respiratory physiology under these conditions, we will be better able to define the physiological constraints imposed on these animals, and how these limitations may affect the survival of marine mammals in a changing environment. Many of the respiratory traits to survive exposure to an extreme environment may inspire novel treatments for a variety of respiratory problems in humans.Funding for this project was provided by the Office of Naval Research (ONR YIP Award no. N000141410563).2018-05-1

Treatment of co-occurring obsessive-compulsive and psychotic symptoms: A systematic review

Up to 30% of individuals with psychosis also experience significant obsessive-compulsive symptoms (OCS). This common, yet understudied, co-occurrence is associated with a more severe clinical presentation and course than psychosis alone, making identifying effective treatments for this comorbidity profile critical. This systematic review synthesized the literature published between 1976 and 2020 on psychopharmacological, psychosocial, and other treatment approaches for co-occurring OCS and psychosis. Our review identified 42 studies examining psychopharmacological (n = 32), psychosocial (n = 7), and neuromodulation (n = 3) treatments. Results suggested that there is early support for the effectiveness of tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and cognitive behavioral therapies as augmentative agents to traditional antipsychotic medications to reduce OCS within the context of psychosis. Considerable limitations across identified studies preclude reliable conclusions about the effectiveness of treatment for co-occurring OCS and psychosis. Gaps in the identified literature point to important areas for future research